4 Tricks for Helping Students Correct b/d Letter Reversals

This blog post is brought to you by the lowercase letters b and d. They look so similar that you can see where confusion occurs for beginning readers and writers. Letter reversals are frequently seen in the writings of K-2nd grade students whose orthographic representation of each letter is not fully developed. Students who have not properly stored the information in their brain will also manifest the issue when they are reading and come to words that contain the letters b and d. Many parents of younger students have asked me if their child is dyslexic because they reverse letters. I always refer them to this source after I have explained that it is a fairly common occurrence. The trick is to ensure that it is a temporary phenomenon and doesn’t become a bad habit. As a teacher, parent, or friend of the universe, there are things that you can do to help students develop a rapid and accurate recognition of these initially, similar looking letters.

Focus on one letter at a time.

In fact, over-teach one letter before introducing a letter that is similar. One important thing to note is letter formation. Consistently emphasize the proper way to form each letter - ALWAYS. For example, the lowercase letter b ALWAYS starts with a line. The lowercase letter d ALWAYS starts with a circle. It is common for students to draw the line first and then think about where to draw the circle. Break this habit early by constantly reinforcing proper formation.

Teach the mouth formation for each letter sound.

For example, when you say the sound the letter b represents (/b/) your lips are together (in a line like you see at the beginning of the letter b). When you say the sound of letter d (/d/) your lips are open and your tongue is on the roof of your mouth. Use a mirror so students can see their own adorable faces forming the correct sounds associated with each letter.

Use multi-sensory activities.

Some beginning readers and writers struggle with the fine motor skills necessary to form letters correctly. Begin by focusing on proper formation of each letter by first using large motor skills. Activities such as drawing a large version of each letter on a chalkboard or whiteboard, forming the letters in finger paint (pudding is fun too) or shaving cream on a desk (bonus: the desk gets clean and your classroom smells freshly shaven), and forming letters on a buddy’s back and having them guess the letter are fun and simple ways to practice. ALWAYS have the students say the sound of each letter as they are forming it. Keep reading for instructions for one activity that I have found to help students distinguish between b’s and d.

Focus on Automaticity.

Once they have shown mastery in correctly writing each letter and producing the sound that each letter represents, focus on automaticity. A timed letter sort is a fun way to help practice automatic recognition. Print multiple copies of the same letters in various fonts so students can apply their knowledge with any text. Then use words that are similar. An example list for words that you could use for a b and d sort would include the words big and dig, dug and bug, brag and drag, bog and dog, and dad and bad.

I always have the student draw the letter and say, “b, /b/” as they are writing the b or “d, /d/ as they are writing the d. It is also helpful to point out that when we read, we read from left to right. In doing so, when you come to a letter that could be a b or a d, the student could look to see what comes first, the bar or the donut to help give them a visual clue as to what the letter is. (Disclaimer: Be aware of food allergies and give students extra P.E. time to run off the calories if you choose to let your students consume the treats involved in the lesson. Also, you will have to weigh (pun intended) the consequences of promoting unhealthy eating over automatic letter recognition). Here are some pictures of a 2nd grade student (who has been very persistent in his quest to correctly recognize b and d) teaching his 1st grade sister “the trick.

Do you know a “trick” that you have found successful when helping students recognize the difference between the letters b and d? If you do, would you share it maybe.

Interested in learning more about Early Literacy? Explore our FREE educational resources to learn how you can help the young readers in your life!

Stacy Hurst

Stacy attended college "long enough to become a doctor." She emerged from her initial 'career' as a student with degrees in Sociology and Elementary Education (and to her surprise, four credits short of a P.E. degree) from Southern Utah University. Throughout all of her undergraduate experience Stacy maintained both Child Development and Reading as minors and qualified for a Reading Endorsement before graduation. Since college, she has obtained an Advanced Reading Endorsement and an ESL endorsement. Stacy taught first grade before becoming a Reading Specialist and Literacy Coach. She has extensive experience coordinating interventions for struggling readers in grades K-12 and has taught Language Development classes to elementary ESL students and to adults learning English as a second language. She is absolutely passionate about all areas of literacy and loves helping teachers improve literacy instruction and seeing students develop a love and skill for reading and writing. Stacy has traveled from Alaska to New York training teachers on effective practices for literacy instruction. Stacy is currently working as Curriculum Director for Reading Horizons and is a co-author of Reading Horizons Discovery curriculum materials. In the rare occasion of 'spare time', she loves being outdoors, reading (of course!), and spontaneous road trips.

10 Comments

November 27, 2015

big daddy

Make and circle with each hand, then extend each index finger pointing away from you. Left hand makes a "b" and right make a "d". I taught my son they stand for big daddy, could be big donkey....whatever. Same works with "q" and "p" if you point index fingers towards your heart, which could be remembered as quite please..... or whatever you like.

May 10, 2014

Valerie Van Selous

I am currently tutoring a middle school student, who is a good reader, and one who has been tested for reading disabilities. She has no specific "problem", but still reverses letters/numbers when anxious. What do you make of this?

Hi, Valerie,
My initial response would be that it is a force of habit for your student to reverse letters and numbers when she is anxious. It can take a lot of 'unlearning' to replace a bad habit. It might be helpful to dedicate a certain amount of time to specific reversals following the suggestions in the blog post. Repeated practice or over-learning in a stress-free setting will help to solidify proper formation. Thanks for your question!

March 01, 2016

Darian

I just came across a trick for recognising how to start a little p. As it is crude it will definitely be remembered!
Tell them "When you pee, does it start from your head? No, it starts halfway down your body. Where does it go? Down. Start your p at the (invisible) halfway line and go straight down."
And another, "B starts from your brain - at the top."

January 19, 2016

Bri

I'm in need to tech my 12 year old girl you know ways for older kids.

January 27, 2016

marketing

@Bri Here is a free online training for parents to learn strategies for teaching older kids how to read, you can access it free for 30 days here: http://athome.readinghorizons.com/workshop/overview

Great resource! I also found a good video to help teach the confusing letter b: http://www.sightandsoundreading.com/teaching-the-confusing-letter-b/

May 10, 2016

cyrilla anselm

Hi, thanks for your many informative tips.I have currently begun taking a keen interest in assisting my dyslexic students. Your post have been extremely helpful.

January 05, 2014

Diane

I teach students the sign-language sign for d, made with the right hand, since it resembles the letter. I teach them to compare the printed letter with the sign. Most people I share this with automatically ask if the sign for b is made with the opposite hand. I tell them no, but like your suggestion, I concentrate on the d, and teach the student to discriminate from that.

December 07, 2013

angela cassar

When introducing letter writing, I found that introducing the letter a, d, g q, first, and leave the letter b for much later; I over teach the letter a, and when it comes to he d, I show them, with letter models covering up part of the line of d will give me an a, and so on; and emphasise how important it is to try to be precise when writing,
For reading I try to use bombastic labelled pictures like a dinosaur, dragon, devil etc.
I also use discrimination/search games where often the d is next to a b or a q, p and g; informing them that they are tricky, therefore they have to observe and think properly.

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